Category: The Citizen

By Godfrey Mramba This year, I did something unreasonable, occasionally painful, but deeply satisfying: I ran three world marathon majors — Tokyo, Berlin and New York City. For those unfamiliar with marathon culture, running one major is hard enough.

Getting into one is even harder. Running three in a year requires either excellent planning, stubborn optimism, or a complete misunderstanding of how rest is supposed to work.

I plead guilty on all counts. Yet somehow, by the grace of God and a cooperative body, I finished all three strong, with my slowest time just over three and a half hours.

Not bad for a quinquagenarian and for an incurable early riser who believes the day should start before dawn, whether it’s a marathon or a business meeting, regardless of how the night before went. What many people don’t realise is that the most challenging part of the majors is not the running.

It is the enrolment. Lotteries, qualifying times, charity slots, rejected applications, polite emails and quiet prayers — the process feels suspiciously like pitching for business.

Many attempts, few rejections and the occasional breakthrough that makes you grateful you didn’t give up. Each city had its own personality.

Tokyo was disciplined and orderly — no nonsense, no drama. Berlin was fast and furious; blink and you miss a personal best.

New York was loud, emotional, chaotic and wonderfully distracting. Much like business environments, each race required adjustment.

What works in Tokyo will not necessarily work in New York. Strategy without a plan is nothing but a dream.

The common thread across all three races was respect for preparation–no marathon rewards shortcuts. You either trained or you didn’t.

The race reveals the truth. Business behaves the same way.

PowerPoint slides do not rescue you at 35 kilometres. Systems, discipline and consistency do.

Then there is pacing. Start too fast and you will pay for it later — publicly and without sympathy.

Start too slow and you spend the rest of the race chasing what you lost early. Knowing your pace and sticking to it is a leadership skill.

Not every quarter needs fireworks. Sometimes survival is victory.

Now, after all that global running, my favourite race of the year is still ahead: the Rombo Marathon on December 23 (today). This one matters differently.

As Christmas approaches, the annual Wachagga migration begins. Those of us who live and work away from Kilimanjaro start the journey home, the Wachagga migration, locally known as kwenda kuhesabiwa, or to be counted.

Cars are washed. Traffic in Moshi becomes a competitive sport.

Somewhere, someone drives a vehicle that has no business being on a village road. There is nyama choma, mbege and enough celebrations to bless marriages, houses, children, cars and occasionally even goats.

In the middle of all this, the Rombo Marathon quietly reminds us that health, too, deserves a place at the table. It is a race run not among skyscrapers, but on motherland soil.

No world records. No global branding.

Just hills, familiar faces and the quiet satisfaction of running where your story began. After Tokyo, Berlin and New York, Rombo feels like coming home — because it is.

So yes, three Majors in one year was an achievement. But the real highlight is still Rombo.

On December 23, I will lace up again — not to prove anything, but to participate, to belong and to give thanks. The life lesson? Sustained performance is never accidental.

It is built quietly through preparation, pacing, humility and resilience. Success, whether in sport or business, is rarely about heroic sprints.

It is about showing up consistently, knowing your limits, adapting to context and finishing strong. And just like in marathons, those who last the longest are not always the loudest; they are simply the best prepared.

Godfrey Mramba is Managing Partner at Basil and Alred. The views expressed do not necessarily represent those of Basil and Alred.

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Dodoma. A total of 14,433 applicants, including 134 university graduates, have been selected to join vocational training programmes at the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) for the 2026 intake.

The successful candidates were chosen from 18,875 applicants who applied for the 2026 programmes. VETA Director General Anthony Kasore announced the selections on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, in Dodoma, while addressing journalists, noting that the process followed official government guidelines and procedures.

Mr Kasore said that of those selected, 8,776 are men and 5,657 are women. “Of these, 12,942 applicants will attend morning classes, while 1,491 are assigned to evening courses,” he said.

“Electrical engineering received the highest number of applicants, while mechanical engineering attracted fewer applicants than other fields,” added Mr Kasore. Speaking about applicants with disabilities, Mr Kasore said 195 individuals with special needs have been allocated to join training next year.

“Among applicants with disabilities, 145 have been selected and placed in 53 VETA institutions, while the remaining 50 are awaiting placement. We are confident all will get the opportunity to study,” he said, adding.

“The government aims to ensure every citizen has equal access to education, regardless of physical ability, gender or ethnicity. It has created an environment that allows everyone to pursue their dreams.

” Regarding university graduates, Mr Kasore noted that candidates holding Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees who applied for vocational training have been assigned to institutions, although 11 are still awaiting placement in their chosen disciplines and colleges. A resident of Makulu, Mr Iddi Maalim, said vocational training offers a solution to youth unemployment by equipping them with practical skills.

He said not every young person can attend university, and VETA enables them to gain hands-on skills that help them start businesses or secure employment quickly. Similarly, Ms Asha Hassan said the large number of university graduates being selected reflects positive changes in youth preparation systems.

Ms Hassan noted that university graduates returning to VETA shows vocational education is crucial, particularly for young people, as it challenges the misconception that technical training is only for those without formal education. .

Dar es Salaam. Local cooking oil manufacturers have warned that the influx of smuggled oil into the Tanzanian market is undermining domestic production, shrinking market share for locally made brands and threatening thousands of jobs.

Industry players say illegally imported cooking oil, which often evades taxes, quality checks and regulatory inspections, is sold at lower prices and has distorted fair competition, making it increasingly difficult for compliant manufacturers to remain viable. The concerns were raised during a visit by the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) commissioner general, Mr Yusuph Juma Mwenda, to several cooking oil factories in Dar es Salaam as part of intensified anti-smuggling operations.

Speaking during the visit, the director of administration at Azania Company, Mr Salehe Afif, said smuggled oil has severely reduced demand for locally produced brands, hurting sales and production levels. “Smuggled cooking oil is crippling local industries because we cannot compete with cheap products that do not pay taxes,” Mr Afif said, urging the TRA to sustain and strengthen enforcement efforts.

He noted that manufacturers employ large numbers of workers and depend on stable production and sales to meet operating costs, including wages–an effort increasingly undermined by illicit products. Mr Afif added that factories shoulder multiple costs, including salaries, utilities, environmental and safety compliance, transport and equipment maintenance, all of which raise production costs.

“These costs must be recognised when assessing the role of factories in the economy. We contribute significant tax revenues and support thousands of households through employment,” he said.

Separately, the head of human resources and administration at Wilmar Factory, Mr Gerald Lyimo, said the widespread availability of smuggled oil has weakened demand for locally manufactured products, putting pressure on operations and jobs. Prominent businessman and East Coast Oils and Fats (MO) factory owner Gulam Dewji also warned that smuggling destroys businesses and slows industrial growth, while commending the TRA for its ongoing efforts.

He called for collective responsibility, saying the fight against smuggling requires close cooperation between government authorities, manufacturers and the public. Responding, Mr Mwenda said the TRA is working with security and defence organs to curb smuggling and protect both local industries and consumers.

He announced plans to form a joint task force bringing together cooking oil manufacturers, importers and distributors to develop a long-term solution to the problem. “Every product imported into the country must undergo quality supervision in collaboration with relevant institutions.

Oil that enters illegally bypasses these controls and poses a risk to consumers’ health–this is food,” Mr Mwenda said. He said the authority would continue regular patrols and inspections at customs points to prevent smuggled goods from reaching the market, adding that legitimate oil imports are regulated through proper procedures to meet national demand.

Mr Mwenda reiterated that smuggling deprives the government of revenue, undermines fair competition and exposes consumers to health risks, urging members of the public to report suspected illicit goods as enforcement efforts are stepped up. .

Mbeya. More than Sh6 billion is set to be invested in improving water infrastructure in the Usangu Basin, Mbarali District, Mbeya Region, with five villages expected to benefit from the project.

The initiative is being implemented by the Rufiji Basin Water Board with funding from the government of Japan through the World Bank. The announcement was made yesterday by the director of the Rufiji Basin Water Board, Mr David Munyala, during a leadership review meeting held to assess the project’s progress.

The meeting focused on the management and improvement of nature-based practices undertaken by communities to protect the environment and water sources in the Usangu Basin, under the Rufiji Basin’s Nature-based solution (NBSUsangu) project. Mr Munyala said the project’s main objective is to conserve water resources for multiple uses, including domestic supply, agriculture and livestock, as well as drilling deep boreholes for educational institutions and residential areas.

“To safeguard our water resources from encroachment, we are transitioning from traditional watering practices to a modern infrastructure strategy. By constructing designated areas for livestock, we protect the environment while still supporting the needs of pastoralists” he said.

He added that implementation of the project has started in the current financial year and will run for three years in the Usangu Basin within Mbarali District, with five villages covered in the initial phase. In a related development, Mr Munyala said the Rufiji Basin makes a significant contribution to the national economy, noting that about 62 percent of tea production depends on the basin.

“The Rufiji Basin spans 11 regions and plays a major role in various economic sectors, including electricity generation, tourism and other activities,” he said. For his part, the coordinator of the Nature-Based Solutions for Community Environmental Management and Climate Change Adaptation Project (NBSUsangu), Mr David Mugiya, said the project is being implemented by the government of Tanzania with World Bank funding through the government of Japan.

He said that despite ongoing interventions, challenges remain, particularly the practice of carrying out economic activities within 60 metres of water sources. Mr Mugiya said the project has introduced measures to relocate farmers cultivating crops within the 60-metre buffer zone and compensate them through local councils to enable them to start alternative economic activities.

He said the support would help communities abandon harmful activities near water sources, noting that the Usangu Basin is critical to hydropower dams such as Kidatu, Mtera and the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project. “About 15 percent of the water in these dams originates from the Usangu Basin.

To safeguard this resource, the Rufiji Basin Water Board has introduced the NBSUsangu project as a long-term solution to be implemented over three years,” he said. Mr Mugiya added that the project will also involve dredging rivers that have changed course in order to improve water flow into hydropower reservoirs.

“We see this as a unique area where protecting rivers and water sources by restoring and improving water flow will support government efforts following major investments made,” he said. He noted that the Usangu Basin is also facing challenges linked to climate change, with low annual rainfall ranging between 400 and 1,000 millimetres.

He said available data show that climate change impacts have contributed to droughts affecting the production of strategic crops, particularly rice. Meanwhile, Assistant Regional Administrative Secretary for Economy and Production, Mr Said Madito, said that alongside project implementation, there is a need to explore better ways of treating water, given the heavy use of agrochemicals by rice farmers in the area.

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Dar es Salaam is preparing to welcome the New Year in a bold and redefined style, as the city joins a groundbreaking regional celebration set to unite East Africa in a single, synchronised countdown. Traditionally, end-of-year festivities in the commercial capital have revolved around beach parties, nightclub revelry, fireworks displays and scattered countdown events across the city.

This year, however, revellers can expect a transformed experience with the introduction of Midnight East, a premium New Year’s Eve concept that will simultaneously connect Dar es Salaam with Nairobi, Kampala and Kigali. The initiative was officially unveiled on December 21, 2025 at the Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam, The Kilimanjaro, during an exclusive launch attended by influencers, micro-influencers, members of the media, and key stakeholders from the creative and entertainment industries.

Designed around the themes of unity and shared celebration, Midnight East blends music, culture, nightlife and digital storytelling to deliver a single New Year’s Eve moment across four East African capitals. While each city will showcase its distinctive cultural energy, all will converge in a synchronised midnight countdown, symbolising the region’s growing cultural and creative interconnectedness.

Speaking at the launch, the organisers described Midnight East as a reimagining of how East Africa marks the transition into the New Year — shifting from isolated city-based events to a collective, cross-border celebration. “Our core idea is to celebrate our unity as a region, share our culture through music and entertainment, and welcome the New Year in style,” representatives from Play Media and Buzz Activate said.

Influencer and entertainment stakeholder Gabrielle Chams highlighted the role of creatives in shaping the future of the industry. “Our responsibility is to shape and share our culture through such platforms, connect with fellow creatives, and push the industry towards innovation, inclusivity and growth, which will ultimately expand its reach,” she said.

Midnight East is scheduled to take place on New Year’s Eve in Dar es Salaam alongside the other participating cities. The celebration will feature top DJs from across East Africa, reinforcing the spirit of regional collaboration and cultural unity as the clock strikes midnight.

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Dar es Salaam. Passenger uptake of the online bus fare payment system remains low, the Land Transport Regulatory Authority (Latra) has said, prompting renewed calls for travellers to use digital platforms to curb ticket touting and ensure fares paid are properly captured in the system.

Latra director general Habibu Suluo said that between December 1 and 20 this year, total fare collections amounted to Sh71 billion, of which nearly Sh8 billion was paid through online platforms, while about Sh63 billion was paid in cash. “This means only about 20 percent of passengers are buying tickets online, while the majority still pay in cash,” Dr Suluo said.

He encouraged passengers to adopt online ticket purchases to prevent overcharging and to guarantee accurate fare payment. “If you can send money to a relative through your phone, why not buy your ticket online? This ensures you pay the correct fare and are not overcharged,” he said.

Dr Suluo also called on bus owners to ensure payments are made through electronic systems so that revenues can be properly monitored by the regulator. He added that online ticketing captures passengers’ full details in the system, enhancing accountability and security in public transport operations.

Dr Suluo said Latra conducted a nationwide inspection exercise from December 8 to 22, during which 4,405 vehicles were inspected, most of them at the Mikese inspection station. The exercise, he said, was part of joint efforts with road safety stakeholders to support the government’s drive to reduce road accidents and ensure safe travel, particularly during the busy festive season.

“This is a critical period when all stakeholders must work together to reduce road accidents and ensure citizens travel safely to meet their loved ones,” he said. According to Dr Suluo, Latra has intensified inspections across the country to ensure the availability of safe and reliable transport services amid high travel demand.

Inspection centres have been established nationwide to verify compliance with licence conditions and assess the quality of services offered to the public. “From these inspections, we identified 349 offences.

The most common violations include failure to issue electronic tickets, non-compliance with licence conditions and some drivers operating without i-buttons,” he said. Despite the violations, Dr Suluo said the overall road safety situation remains relatively stable, with no major incidents reported so far.

He added that Latra continues to issue emergency permits where there are shortages of transport services, noting that 252 temporary permits have so far been issued by Latra offices across the country. Providing further data, Dr Suluo said that from the beginning of this month to date, 1,978,100 passengers have travelled using regulated bus services, equivalent to the number of tickets issued during the period.

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Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s national football team, Taifa Stars, will tonight launch their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group C campaign with a daunting test against African heavyweights Nigeria, as the two sides meet at the Fes Stadium in Rabat.

The encounter is scheduled to kick off at 8:30pm East African Time, and it carries not only group-stage significance but also deep historical meaning for Tanzania, who are still searching for their first-ever victory over the Super Eagles in competitive football. This will be the second time the two nations meet in an Afcon group-stage match, with the first dating back 46 years.

On March 8, 1980, Nigeria edged Tanzania 31 in a Group A fixture played at the Lagos National Stadium in Surulere. Since then, the two sides have never crossed paths again at this stage of the continent’s premier football competition until now.

Despite the long gap, the rivalry has been rekindled intermittently through qualification campaigns for both Afcon and the FIFA World Cup, encounters that have largely favoured the West African giants. Overall, records show that Tanzania and Nigeria have met five times in all competitions, with Nigeria winning three matches, while two ended in draws.

Taifa Stars are therefore yet to register a victory against the Super Eagles, a statistic they are determined to overturn on Moroccan soil. The most recent meetings came during the 2017 Afcon qualification campaign.

The first leg, played on September 5, 2015, at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, ended in a goalless draw that raised optimism among Tanzanian supporters. However, Nigeria secured a narrow 10 win in the return leg on September 3, 2016, on home ground to progress.

Earlier encounters also include the 1982 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where Taifa Stars earned a credible 11 away draw in Nigeria on December 6, 1980, before suffering a 20 defeat in the return leg at the National Stadium, now known as Uhuru Stadium, in Dar es Salaam. As the two sides prepare to face off once again, the stakes could not be higher for Tanzania, who are eager to make a positive start in what has been widely described as a challenging Group C.

Speaking ahead of the match, Taifa Stars interim head coach Miguel Gamondi expressed confidence in his squad, insisting the players are mentally and physically ready for the challenge. “We know it will not be easy because Nigeria are among the strongest football nations on the continent,” said Gamondi.

“But I believe in my players. They understand what is at stake and they are ready to give everything for the country.

We have prepared well, taken all necessary precautions, and we will play with determination and discipline.” Team captain Mbwana Samatta echoed his coach’s sentiments, dismissing any notion of fear as Tanzania prepare to face a side boasting a rich Afcon pedigree.

“It is an open fact that we are facing tough opponents,” Samatta said. “But we are here to compete, not to make up numbers.

Every player knows what Tanzanians expect from us. We are playing for the national flag and we are ready to fight until the last drop.

” The Taifa Stars camp has been buoyed by high morale and a strong sense of unity, with players aware that a positive result against Nigeria would significantly boost their chances of progressing from the group. Group C action continues later tonight when Tunisia take on fellow East African representatives Uganda at the Stade Olympique de Rabat, with kick-off scheduled for 11:00pm East African Time.

As Afcon fever grips the continent, all eyes will be on Rabat, where Taifa Stars hope to defy history, stun Nigeria, and announce their arrival in the tournament with a statement performance. .

Dar es Salaam. As Africa grapples with a cascade of health shocks, from infectious disease outbreaks to climate-induced emergencies, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said governments must substantially increase domestic health financing, warning that the era of heavy reliance on external aid is rapidly fading.

The alarm came yesterday in Dar es Salaam, during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between WHO’s Regional Office for Africa (WHO-AFRO) and the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC). At the event, WHO Africa Regional Director Mohamed Janabi delivered a sobering message: African countries must now “recalibrate and build stronger health budgets” to withstand current and future crises.

“Funding support to WHO has dropped by about 70 percent following the withdrawal of major donors, including the United States,” Prof Janabi said. “What remains is for countries to reorganise themselves and allocate larger portions of national budgets to health so that they can respond effectively when these challenges arise.

” Prof Janabi, who assumed office on July 1, 2025, described his first five months as among the most difficult in WHO Africa’s history. On his first day, the organisation was facing a deficit of $1.5 billion.

That financial shock forced sweeping reforms, including a painful reduction of the workforce. “I was responsible for more than 2,500 staff across 47 African member states,” he said.

“We had to separate at least 25 percent of the workforce. About 420 employees, highly skilled professionals with Master’s and PhDs, are set to lose their jobs.

It has and still is, a very difficult time.” Yet even as WHO struggled internally, Africa faced relentless external pressures.

Within weeks of his appointment, Ebola resurfaced in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but contained within 90 days. Marburg virus disease in Ethiopia also is under control.

Cholera outbreaks are currently affecting at least 15 African countries, while polio persists in parts of West Africa. Climate-related disasters, including floods, droughts and even earthquakes, such as the recent one in Burundi, have further strained fragile health systems and displaced thousands.

“Before I could even recover, we were fighting Marburg in Ethiopia, cholera across the continent, Rift Valley fever in Senegal spilling into Mauritania and managing refugees in Burundi and Ethiopia,” Prof Janabi said. The call for increased health spending is deeply rooted in lessons learnt from Covid-19, which exposed Africa’s vulnerabilities and the current unpredictable donor-scenarios.

Many countries were caught off-guard, lacking intensive care capacity, surveillance systems and supply chains for essential medicines and vaccines. “We learnt the hard way during Covid-19,” Prof Janabi said.

“Africa imports about 99 percent of its vaccines and 85 percent of its medicines. That dependence left us exposed when global supply chains collapsed.

” Climate change is now compounding these risks. Rising temperatures and extreme weather events are fuelling outbreaks of diarrhoeal diseases, vector-borne illnesses and malnutrition, placing additional pressure on already stretched budgets.

At the same time, antimicrobial resistance, described by Prof Janabi as “a silent pandemic”, kills about one million people globally each year, further underscoring the need for resilient, well-financed health systems. Local manufacturing as a strategic response To reduce import dependency, WHO is strongly advocating for local pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturing.

Under the new MoU, ECSA-HC has pledged to, among other things, support member states that are already laying the groundwork for domestic industries. Tanzania is among the countries positioning itself for this shift.

The government has outlined plans to expand pharmaceutical manufacturing through public-private partnerships, investment incentives and regulatory reforms, including strengthening the Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA). Ongoing initiatives aim to attract investors into industrial parks dedicated to health products, building on lessons from Covid-19 when access to essential supplies became a matter of national security.

“We want to harmonise regulations so that a medicine registered in Kenya does not have to be registered again in Tanzania,” Prof Janabi said. “We are encouraging countries to work closely with investors and financial institutions to establish local industries.

” A timely partnership The WHOECSA-HC MoU comes at a critical moment. The agreement aligns with WHO’s Fourteenth General Programme of Work (20252028) and focuses on primary healthcare, disease prevention, health workforce development, digital health transformation and emergency preparedness.

“This MoU is not only about cooperation between institutions,” Prof Janabi said, “but about delivering better health outcomes for Africans, especially the most vulnerable.” ECSA-HC Director-General Dr Ntuli Kapologwe echoed the sentiment, noting that the partnership would help countries “build resilient, equitable and people-centred health systems” through coordinated regional solutions.

“This MoU strengthens our long-standing collaboration with WHO AFRO and enhances our collective ability to support countries in building resilient, equitable and people-centred health systems,” he said. .

By Bryan Bwana Tanzania stands at a critical development crossroads. Blessed with rich natural resources, expansive agricultural and agroforestry potential, vast water surface and underground water bodies and abundant biodiversity, the nation has pursued economic growth through infrastructure expansion, mining, urbanisation and commercial agriculture.

Yet these pathways have carried a steep environmental and water cost, one that now threatens the resilience of ecosystems and the viability of Tanzania livelihoods. That very steep environmental and water cost now also threatens the equitable development goals of the nation and the region as outlined in Africa’s Agenda 2063. Historically, Tanzania has enjoyed relatively plentiful renewable freshwater resources.

It is estimated that Tanzania enjoys 96.27km of water resources per year, equivalent to about 2,266 m per person, above the global water stress threshold of 1,500m. However, rapid population growth, climate change and rising consumption have sharply eroded this buffer.

Projections suggest that by the end of this year (2025), Tanzania will cross into water stressed status as per capita renewable water resources fall below the 1,500m threshold. The uncoordinated planning of water infrastructure exacerbates the challenge.

Seasonal variability means even major rivers can shrink dramatically in dry months, while high rainfall regions can experience flooding that traditional infrastructure fails to manage. Tanzania’s mining sector, a key growth driver contributing an estimated 10.1 percent of GDP in 2024, has delivered many jobs and great exports but with significant environmental tradeoffs.

Small scale and large scale operations regularly clear vegetation, disrupt soil structures and release untreated runoff into rivers and aquifers. Mercury and cyanide used in gold processing, for example, have been found in local water bodies at levels far above safe limits, threatening both human health and aquatic life.

Deforestation linked to mining, charcoal production and commercial agriculture remains alarmingly high. Tanzania lost nearly 3.

2 million hectares of tree cover between 2001 and 2023, roughly a 12 percent decrease, with clear repercussions on watershed health, carbon storage and rainfall patterns. The loss of forest cover reduces soil stability and limits natural water infiltration, undermining aquifer recharge and increasing the severity of both droughts and floods.

In Zanzibar, (land with limited forest cover), rapid urban expansion has caused more money than 14.5 percent-22 percent loss in forested area over three decades, with consequential declines in groundwater recharge from 15.5 million m to 11.1 million m, testing the sustainability of urban water supplies. Waste management in Tanzania continues to lag behind the scale of urbanisation.

Although national figures on untreated domestic wastewater are incomplete, it is estimated that only about 16 percent of wastewater is safely treated, indicating widespread contamination risks for surface and groundwater. The untended discharge of industrial and urban waste degrades water quality, posing escalating public health and ecosystem hazards.

In urban regions, the inadequate collection and disposal of solid waste compounds water resource degradation. Waste often obstructs drainage systems, which contributes to flooding and the mixing of polluted water with community water supplies.

Uncoordinated development planning A recurring theme across these national environmental pressures is poorly coordinated planning. Land use decisions that favour short term economic gains, such as clearing forests for export crops or granting mining concessions without strict environmental safeguards, undermine long term sustainability.

Weak enforcement of environmental and social impact assessments (ESIAs) and overlapping mandates among regulatory authorities further dilute accountability. Yet there are positive signs: Phase III of the Water Sector Development Programme (WSDP), aligned with the Tanzania Development Vision 2025, Five Year Development Plan III and Africa Agenda 2063, commits $6.46 billion to integrated water resources management, infrastructure expansion and governance reforms through 2026. Women and girls bear significant burdens from water scarcity, spending time collecting water at the expense of education and income generation.

Expanded access initiatives have improved services for millions, yet the ruralurban disparity remains stark. Immediate corrective steps To transition toward a sustainable development pathway, one that respects ecological limits, supports inclusive growth and aligns with AU Agenda 2063’s call for ‘environmentally sustainable and climate resilient economies’ — Tanzania must take several urgent actions: 1.

Strengthen Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM): Implementation of IWRM must accelerate beyond its current 54 percent adoption rate, embedding cross sectoral planning in national and regional development decisions. This would harmonise water, land and environmental policies to reduce conflict and over extraction.

2. Scale climate-smart agriculture and irrigation: Given agriculture’s dominant water use, the adoption of water efficient irrigation (such as drip and precision irrigation) and drought resilient cropping systems will alleviate pressure on freshwater resources while improving productivity.

3. Enforce stronger environmental regulations: Mining, construction, transportation and large agricultural projects must be subject to rigorous and continuous EISAs processes with full transparency, measurable mitigation plans and strict penalties for non-compliance.

4. Restore forests and catchments: Reforestation and protection of critical watersheds would improve aquifer recharge, stabilise soils and boost biodiversity.

Community based forestry initiatives should be linked with economic incentives. All sectors (public and private) should be mandated to carry out community reforestation and water catchment protection projects! 5.

Reform waste and pollution management: Investment in wastewater treatment infrastructure, recycling systems and municipal waste services must be prioritised. Publicprivate partnerships can expand capacity rapidly at scale.

6. Expand public awareness and governance transparency: Civil society, traditional leaders and local communities must be included in planning processes to ensure environmental stewardship is a shared responsibility.

Tanzania’s environmental and water stress challenges are not isolated ailments but interconnected reflections of development decisions made over decades. With strong political will, integrated planning and adherence to global sustainability standards — as envisioned in AU Agenda 2063 and SDG frameworks — Tanzania can turn the tide, transforming resource constraints into engines of resilient growth and shared prosperity.

Bryan Toshi Bwana is the Founding Trustee of Umoja Conservation Trust (UCT). www.

umojaconservation.org .

Dar es Salaam. Russia has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Tanzania’s drive for economic self-reliance, including cooperation in communications infrastructure such as satellite technology when required.

The assurance was given on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, by the Russian Ambassador to Tanzania, Mr Andrey Avetisyan, while reviewing bilateral cooperation in 2025 and outlining priorities for the year ahead. Addressing journalists, Ambassador Avetisyan said genuine self-reliance is built through trade, investment, and value addition, which he described as the most practical and sustainable routes to development.

He linked this approach to what he called Africa’s “second liberation” economic independence following political independence in the 1960s. “Foreign aid cannot be a permanent solution because it depends on the decisions of donors.

Investment, trade, and adding value to domestic resources are the path to real development,” he said. The envoy emphasised that Russia’s engagement with Tanzania is based on mutually beneficial trade and investment rather than aid.

“That kind of cooperation is the most reliable because both sides have direct interests. This is Russia’s philosophy in its relations with Africa,” he said.

He added that Russia aims to promote direct trade between the two countries, particularly in agricultural products such as coffee, cashew nuts, avocados, and other fruits. Currently, he noted, some Tanzanian products are exported to Europe for processing and then sold to Russia under European brand names, depriving Tanzania of added value.

“The solution lies in investing in processing, packaging, and value addition within the country, which requires direct commercial cooperation,” he said. Beyond trade, the ambassador said Russia is ready to expand cooperation in technology, health, energy, ICT, and space-related fields.

“Tanzania is interested in developing its aerospace sector, and Russia is prepared to provide technical assistance in satellite construction and related infrastructure. As partners, we are advanced in this area and have no intention of withholding expertise,” he said.

Mr Avetisyan observed that while Tanzania and Russia have long-standing political and historical ties, economic cooperation has not yet matched that level of friendship. “The current goal is to balance our historical relations with genuine economic and commercial cooperation.

However, specific business and investment projects must be carefully assessed,” he said. Trade figures highlight the imbalance between the two countries.

Tanzania imports goods from Russia worth an average of $2.26 billion (Sh5.93 trillion) annually, primarily wheat, chemicals, and machinery, while its exports to Russia amount to just about $5.8 million. In tourism, Mr Avetisyan said efforts are underway to restore direct flights between Russia and Tanzania to boost visitor numbers.

Russian tourism companies have already visited Tanzania and are collaborating with the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) to develop travel packages centred on national parks and Zanzibar. “The aim is not only to increase Russian tourists coming to Tanzania, but also to encourage Tanzanians to visit Russia,” he said.

He described 2025 as a year of significant progress, marked by meetings of joint intergovernmental commissions and strategic projects. Plans for 2026 include further strengthening of ties, notably through the third meeting of the Joint Trade and Economic Commission, expected to be held in Tanzania.

Commenting on the developments, spice trader Yahya Mzamilu urged authorities to make the Russian market more accessible to Tanzanian businesspeople. “Building economic relations should also involve helping traders understand and access those markets.

If possible, dedicated offices should be established to support Tanzanian products entering the Russian market,” he said. .